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Statement from SKP-HAM Papua: A Year under Jokowi – JK’s leadership, Increases the wounds of the Papuan People of Papua

10 Dec 2015

By:

Peneas Lokbere, SKP-HAM Papua Coordinator

“A Year under Jokowi – JK’s leadership, Increases the wounds of the Papuan People”

A Year under Jokowi – JK’s (Jusuf Kalla) leadership has passed, yet there have been no significant developments related to the resolution of conflicts that occur in Papua. There are still numerous incidents of violence by the National Army and the National Police, with the use of the security approach as well as the excessive use of firearms under the pretence of ‘defence’. This destroys democratic space – the space for freedom of expression. Arbitrary arrests and detentions still occur and continue to take place.

In the last year of Jokowi – JK’s leadership, we have noted at least 11 cases of violence with a total of 10 deaths and 39 other victims heavily wounded, with 268 people arrested during peaceful activities by security forces from the National Army and the National Police (please see cases attached).

These cases of violence shows that the security approach, which is implemented through acts of violence and the closing down on freedom of expression, is still being used against the people of Papua. The security approach that is being employed by the Jokowi-JK leadership throughout their first year demonstrates that this government are repeating the same mistakes of the previous SBY administration. The promises of peaceful dialogues between Jakarta and Papua and to ensure a peaceful Papua are merely empty promises used as tools of façade.

Many various security actors are placed in Papua, supposedly to provide protection to civilians – but in fact these actors use excessive and disproportional force and improper judgment. Generally, these continuous acts of violence which are still continuously being perpetrated only increases the wounds of the Papuan people. Since the 60s, Papuans have been victims of many human rights violations, and have never obtained justice from the State and the Government of Indonesia.

For that matter, in order to fulfil peaceful dialogue and a peaceful Papua, as was promised during the Jokowi-JK presidential campaign, there needs to be immediate resolution or response from the Jokowi government. Remembering that resolving cases of violence and human rights violations cannot be resolved merely through promises – there needs to be a guarantee that state institutions are instructed to thoroughly and immediately act and resolve every type of human rights violation in Papua.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia to fulfil his promise to the people of Papua which was delivered on 27 December 2014 at the Mandala Field, Jayapura-Papua, regarding the resolution of the Bloody Paniai case, where human rights were violated on 8 December 2014.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia to immediately order Indonesia’s Commision on Human Rights to push The Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights Violations that has been created to conduct legal proceedings against the perpetrators of the Paniai shooting, 8 December 2014.

The Indonesian government to open democratic space for the people of Papua and open access to the international media to enter the land of Papua.

The House of Representatives of Papua to guide the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights Violations that was created on 15 October 2015 so that this team may work on uncovering the perpetrators of the Paniai shooting, 8 December 2014.

The house of representatives of Papua to immediately invite Papuan Regional Police and the Cenderawasih Military Commander District to do an official evaluation on the security situation in Papua, and to stop impunity amongst security forces that conduct violations of human rights in Papua.

To this end, the various elements that compose ‘Solidarity with Victims of Human Rights Violations in Papua (SKP-HAM Papua)’ unite our hearts, minds and bodies to fight for justice for the victims and the family of victims in Enarotali, Paniai-Papua.